e a thunderbolt. He almost staggered, and
put his hand quickly on the window-sill.

"But come, lad, let's bear up like men. I'll go in first. Don't let
on; see if they'll remember us."

So saying, Gaff lifted the latch of the door and stood before his wife
and child. Billy also entered, and stood a pace behind him.

Mrs Gaff and Tottie, who were both engaged about the fireplace at the
time, in the preparation of supper, turned and looked at the intruders
in surprise, and, for a few seconds, in silence.

The light that fell upon father and son was not very strong, and the
opening of the door had caused it to flicker.

"Come in, if ye wants a word wi' me," said Mrs Gaff, who was somewhat
uneasy at the rugged appearance of her visitors, but was too proud to
show it.

"Hast forgotten me, Jess?"

Mrs Gaff rushed at once into his arms.

"`Bless the Lord, O my soul,'" murmured Gaff, as he smoothed the head
that lay on his shoulder.

Tottie recognised her brother the instant he advanced into the full
light of the fire, and exclaiming the single word "Billy," leaped into
his open arms.

"Not lost after all, thank God," said Gaff, with a deep prolonged sigh,
as he led his wife to a chair and sat down beside her.

"Lost, Stephen, what mean ye?"

"Not married again," said Gaff with a quiet smile.

"Married again! an' _you_ alive! oh, Stephen!"

"Nay, lass, not _believin'_ me alive, but ye've had good reason to think
me dead this many a year."

"An' d'ye think I'd ha' married agin even though ye was dead, lad?"
asked the wife, with a look of reproach.

"Well, I believe ye wouldn't; but it's common enough, ye must admit, for
folk to marry a second time, an' so, many and many a long day I used to
think p'raps Jess'll ha' found it hard to keep herself an' Tottie, an'
mayhap she'll have married agin arter givin' me up for dead."

"Never!" exclaimed Mrs Gaff energetically.

"Well, forgive me for thinkin' it, lass. I've been punished enough, for
it's cost me many a bitter hour when I was on the island."

"On the island!" exclaimed Tottie in surprise.

"Ay, Tot, but it's an old story that, an' a long one."

"Then you'll have to tell it to me, daddy, and begin at once," said
Tottie, leaving the Bu'ster--who was more entitled to his nickname on
that evening than he had ever been in all his life,--and sitting down
beside her father on the floor.

"Come, let's have fair exchange," said Gaff, pushing his wife to